Combination Combustor and Burner

Abstract

A system for combusting reactants. The system includes a low pressure combustor coupled to a low pressure line. Coupled to, and sitting atop the low pressure combustor is a high pressure combustor coupled to a high pressure line. The high pressure line is coupled to a flame arrester and an ignition source. The flame arrester is located a sub-sonic distance from the ignition source such that a flame arrester can be used as opposed to a flame detonator arrester. Further, the ignition source is retractable such that it can be removed, altered, repaired, etc., from the safety of the ground.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for combusting reactants, said system comprising:
 a low pressure combustor coupled to a low pressure line;   a high pressure combustor, wherein said high pressure burner is coupled to the top of said low pressure burner;   a flame arrester coupled to a high pressure line;   an ignition source coupled to said high pressure combustor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said low pressure combustor comprises at least one burner, wherein said at least one burner comprises:
 a burner shroud coupled to an upstream mixing tube, wherein said burner shroud comprises at least two swirlers; 
 a gas coupler upstream from said mixing tube, wherein said gas coupler comprises at least one air inlet; 
 an air intake adjuster coupled to said gas coupler, wherein said air intake adjuster is adjustable relative to said air inlet. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said low pressure combustor comprises between three and five burners. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said burner comprises a low-swirl burner, wherein said mixing tube comprises channels, and further comprising a Venturi located downstream of said mixing tube. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said air intake adjuster comprises a threaded sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said shroud comprises an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and wherein said mixing tube has an inner and outer diameter, wherein said inner diameter of said shroud is greater than the outer diameter of the mixing tube resulting in a void between the mixing tube and the surrounding shroud, and wherein said at least two swirlers are located in said void. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said flame arrester is within a sub-sonic distance of said ignition source. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said sub-sonic distance is less than about 10 feet. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said ignition source is retractable. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a track. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an adjustable air intake. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said high pressure combustor and said low pressure combustor are fluidly connected. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said low pressure combustor has a capacity of between about 25,000 and 250,000 SCFD, and wherein said high pressure combustor has a capacity of between about 1,200,000 and about 4,000,000 SCFD. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said high pressure combustor comprises a flare. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said high pressure line has pressures between 1 to about 120 psi, and wherein said low pressure line comprises a pressure between about 0 to about 1 psi. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said high pressure line is coupled to a production vessel or a gas line whereas said low pressure line is coupled to storage tanks.